‘Ah, I imagined so from what your man said.’ Dr Ames knelt down and lifted the handkerchief from the battered features. ‘Yes, you are right. He has been dead for some hours.’ He replaced the handkerchief, and rose to his feet. ‘I suppose, Mr Ponson, you will have him taken to Luce Manor? There is no reason why that should not be done at once.’ ‘I was only waiting for the stretcher.’ The doctor nodded and took charge. ‘Your stretcher, sergeant,’ he said. The remains were lifted on, and slowly the melancholy little procession started. Before they left, the sergeant asked who had made the tragic discovery, and was shown exactly where the body had been found. One constable was left with instructions to see that no one touched the boat, and the sergeant and the other policeman walked with the party, taking their turns in carrying the sad burden. After Austin had instructed the butler to hurry on and prepare for them at the house, no one spoke. When the body had been laid on the bed in Sir William’s room, and the little excitement caused by the arrival had subsided, the sergeant approached Austin Ponson. ‘Beg pardon, Mr Ponson,’ he said. ‘I’m very sorry, but I’ll have to make a report about this, and I’m bound to ask a few questions. I hope, sir, you won’t mind?’ ‘Of course not, sergeant. I understand you must do your duty.’ ‘Thank you, sir. May I ask then if you can explain how this accident occurred?’ ‘No more than you can, sergeant. I only know that Innes, Sir William’s valet, came to my house when I was dressing this morning, to know if Sir William was with me. He said he had gone out after dinner last night without leaving any message, and they didn’t know where he was. I came back with Innes, and they had just then learnt that the boat was missing. We thought perhaps my father had rowed across the river to see Dr Graham, and I sent round to inquire, but when we learnt he hadn’t been there we began to fear the worst. We therefore went down the river to see if we could find anything.’ ‘And when, sir, did you see him last?’ ‘On Sunday evening—three days ago. I dined here, and left about ten or later.’ ‘And was he in his usual health and spirits then?’ ‘Yes, I noticed nothing out of the common.’ ‘And he said nothing then, or indeed at any time, that would explain the matter?’ ‘Not a thing. He seemed perfectly normal in every way.’ ‘Very strange affair, sir, where he could have been going to. Was he skilful with a boat?’ ‘No, I should say not. He could row a little, but not well. He did not specially care for it. I rarely knew him to go out for pleasure.’ ‘Thank you, sir. With your permission I will see now what Mr Parkes and the other men can tell me.’